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SSH Setup

Grep Badger can connect to remote machines over SSH so you can browse and open logs without copying them locally first.

In this app, an SSH host is any remote machine you connect to with SSH.

1. Before you add a host

Make sure you have:

  • the host name or IP address
  • the username you want to log in with
  • either a password or a private key
  • the SSH port if it is not the default port 22

If you plan to use a private key, make sure the key file is available on your machine.

2. Add a new SSH host

  1. Click the + icon to the right of Files in the left sidebar. This opens the file explorer.
  2. Click the + icon to the right of Hosts in the left sidebar of the file explorer.
  3. Fill out the necessary SSH details.
  4. Click Test to verify the connection.
  5. Save the host.

Once saved, the host will appear in the host list and can be used to browse remote files.

3. Choose an authentication mode

Grep Badger supports three SSH authentication modes:

  • Auto
  • Password
  • Private Key

Auto

Auto uses:

  • private key authentication if a private key path is set
  • otherwise password authentication

This is the easiest option if you are not sure which mode to choose.

Password

Use Password when the remote system expects a username and password.

Grep Badger will try to save your password securely when your operating system supports it.

Private Key

Use Private Key when the remote system expects a key file.

Select the private key file from your machine. If the key is protected with a passphrase, Grep Badger may prompt you for it.

4. Test the connection

Before saving the host, click Test.

If the test succeeds, you can save the host and start browsing files.

If the test fails, double-check:

  • host name or IP address
  • username
  • port
  • password or private key path
  • whether SSH access is enabled on the remote machine

5. Browse and open remote logs

After saving the host:

  1. Click the + icon to the right of Files in the left sidebar.
  2. In the file explorer, select your SSH host.
  3. Navigate to the log file you want to open.

Once you select a remote log file, Grep Badger opens it in the main view and begins tailing it with a clear history.

Remote log files are streamed directly from the host over SSH/SFTP. They are not copied locally.

6. Password and passphrase prompts

Grep Badger tries to store SSH secrets securely when possible. We do not try to invent custom secure storage methods; we use the operating system's credential storage when available.

Linux may not remember your passwords or passphrases due to missing credential stores. If the app cannot save your password or passphrase, it will prompt you when you connect.

When secure storage is unavailable, Grep Badger holds the secret in memory for your session only and prompts you again next session.

7. Common setup tips

  • Use port 22 unless your server uses a custom SSH port.
  • If Auto does not behave as expected, explicitly choose Password or Private Key.
  • If private key authentication fails, verify that the selected key matches the server and user.
  • If password login fails, confirm that SSH password authentication is enabled on the remote host.
  • If a saved secret stops working, Grep Badger may ask you to enter it again.

Important notes

  • Remote log files are streamed through SSH/SFTP. Very large files may affect performance.
  • Network speed and remote system load may affect browsing and tailing performance.
  • If the connection drops, you may need to reconnect or reopen the file.